Reflecting

Wow...spring definitely has a way of making you reflect.  I am so thankful!  Spring reminds me of new beginnings.  Easter brings up just a whole slew of emotions and feelings...Christ died, FOR ME.  It was because of MY sin that He was nailed to the cross.  He bled, FOR ME.  He was tortured FOR ME.  He was separated from the Father, FOR ME, so that I don't have to be.  That is amazing to me.  I am so thankful...and in awe of what that really means!

One thing that I have been thinking of recently is that we are "the aroma of Christ."  Last year, I heard a woman speak about discipleship.  In her talk, she said, "Ladies, do we SMELL like Jesus???!!!!??  I mean, really, if you are walking closely with God, seeking Him wholeheartedly, then you should SMELL like Jesus!!" (or..something along those lines...not a direct quote!)  Well, honestly I thought that was kind of  cheesy...but, then I recently came upon 2 Corninthians 2:15-17.  I am sure she talked about it that night, but I was probably stuck the cheesiness of smelling  like Jesus... 

Those verses say: For we are the AROMA of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.  Who is sufficient  for these things?  For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Wow...I really should SMELL like Jesus!  To my family, friends, community, to the cashier at the store, to the guy that cut me off on the road, to those who believe that Jesus is Lord and those who don't.  The Word says that to some it is a fragrance from death to death.  It also says that people will reject us because they reject Jesus...thus the aroma of death to death.  And you know when you smell something that is just AWESOME...like blooming flowers, a good perfume, coffee brewing in the morning,  a yummy homecooked meal...doesn't it just bring a joy in life??!!  I want to SMELL like Jesus...bring joy and encouragement to those around me (whether I am rejected or not).

God gave me such a reminder of this the other day when I was running.  I run in a really beautiful area getting to see and smell all of the awesomeness of spring.  I live in an area that is more run down.  Honestly, it doesn't smell so nice all the time.  There are stray animals all over the streets, trash in yards and streets, weeds instead of flowers, etc.  This day when I was running, I took the usual route.  On the way back, I crossed a street that lead into our neighborhood, and literally, it STUNK.  I want that to change.  I want that to change because Jesus is letting off a beautiful aroma through believers.  I pray that He won't be rejected in the community around us.  I love our neighborhood, and I want to see the aromas start changing.

I love that that verse says "who is sufficient for these things?"  ha!  No one.  Not me!  But goodness...GOD IS IN ME!  Now that is powerful.  I want to live in THAT power.  His power.

I just HAVE to put this picture in, because I LOVE this tree!  It is one of the first things to bloom, and it was such a reminder of all things glorious to me this year:

And, that is finally the finished product of the house!!  Praising the Lord!  We will get some landscaping in there soon!

The kids enjoying tree-climbing: